UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Man injured in building site accident in Weymouth

A CONSTRUCTION worker was airlifted to hospital after his leg was crushed between two pieces of metal.

The 50-year-old man was working on the McCarthy & Stone building site at the old Weymouth Fire Station when his leg was crushed just after 11am this morning. (May 21)

The air ambulance was called to the scene and landed on The Marsh playing fields behind the Asda supermarket.

Police and land ambulances also rushed to the scene and the land ambulance took him to the air ambulance, before he was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

An investigation has now been launched by Dorset Police and the Health and Safety Executive into the incident.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “At 11.23am on Wednesday 21 May 2014, Dorset Police were informed by the ambulance service of an industrial incident at a building site on North Quay, Weymouth.

“A man has suffered leg injuries and has been taken to Southampton Hospital. Police have attended and are carrying out enquiries. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”

McCarthy and Stone began construction work at the site, in March this year to create a “Retirement Living Development”.

Kevin Strickland, manager of the Boot Inn pub behind the building site, said: “I saw the helicopter go across, but I didn’t know what it was for.

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“It’s a bit of a shock really, because they are usually pretty health and safety conscious on that site, nothing like this has ever happened before so I am a bit surprised it’s happened, I hope he recovers quickly.”

A passerby, who did not want to be named, said he saw the helicopter land and saw it leave.

He said: “I didn’t see what happened to the man but I knew it must have been something serious. It’s not very heavy metal they are working with but then again you don’t want any metal to crush your leg.

“I worked in construction for nearly 50 years, so I have seen things like this happen. They should be stopping work until health and safety has sussed the situation out.”

A spokesman for McCarthy & Stone said: "McCarthy & Stone confirms that an accident involving a piling subcontractor occurred at its construction site in North Quay, Weymouth, at around 11.00am this morning (Wednesday).

"Site employees followed procedures and emergency services arrived quickly. The subcontractor was then taken to Southampton General hospital via air ambulance.

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"The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and the company is working with the relevant authorities, as well as carrying out its own investigation into what happened.

"McCarthy & Stone makes every effort to ensure that its sites are well-managed, with the safety and well-being of the public, employees and subcontractors firmly front of mind."

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Comments (1)

Even by the OHEC's standards the level of reporting now appears to have hit rock bottom - Kevin Strickland, manager of the Boot Inn pub behind the building site, said: “I saw the helicopter go across, but I didn’t know what it was for. “It’s a bit of a shock really, because they are usually pretty health and safety conscious on that site, nothing like this has ever happened before so I am a bit surprised it’s happened, I hope he recovers quickly.” A passerby, who did not want to be named, said he saw the helicopter land and saw it leave. He said: “I didn’t see what happened to the man .......... ITS A WONDER THE REPORTER DIDN'T FIND A DOG TO COMMENT!

Even by the OHEC's standards the level of reporting now appears to have hit rock bottom -
Kevin Strickland, manager of the Boot Inn pub behind the building site, said: “I saw the helicopter go across, but I didn’t know what it was for.
“It’s a bit of a shock really, because they are usually pretty health and safety conscious on that site, nothing like this has ever happened before so I am a bit surprised it’s happened, I hope he recovers quickly.”
A passerby, who did not want to be named, said he saw the helicopter land and saw it leave.
He said: “I didn’t see what happened to the man ..........
ITS A WONDER THE REPORTER DIDN'T FIND A DOG TO COMMENT!terra firma

Even by the OHEC's standards the level of reporting now appears to have hit rock bottom - Kevin Strickland, manager of the Boot Inn pub behind the building site, said: “I saw the helicopter go across, but I didn’t know what it was for. “It’s a bit of a shock really, because they are usually pretty health and safety conscious on that site, nothing like this has ever happened before so I am a bit surprised it’s happened, I hope he recovers quickly.” A passerby, who did not want to be named, said he saw the helicopter land and saw it leave. He said: “I didn’t see what happened to the man .......... ITS A WONDER THE REPORTER DIDN'T FIND A DOG TO COMMENT!

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